Supreme Court allows Prime Minister to present witnesses

The Supreme Court of Pakistan summoned Nargis Sethi as witness in the contempt of court case, accepting the request of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to present witnesses before the apex court.

The Prime Minister’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan on Monday submitted the reply in the Supreme Court in the contempt of court case. The premier had requested the apex court to summon Secretary Defence and Cabinet Division Nargis Sethi, former Law Minister Babar Awan and Secretary Law Masood Chishti as witnesses in the contempt of court case against him.

Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday said his defense was that the prime minister never intended to act in contempt of court adding that he was bound to act on the Law Ministry’s advice. He observed, “The PM be granted a chance to provide a complete defense”.

Aitzaz added, “The court has allowed me to present the summaries. Nargis Sethi will appear before the court and prove the summaries”. He, however, stated that the other two witnesses, Awan and Chisti, have refused to appear before the court.

During the course of hearing, Justice Munir asked the premier’s counsel whether the prime minister sought independent legal advice. Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq, who is the prosecutor in the case, submitted evidence to the court against Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Justice Nasirul Mulk, heading the seven-member bench, remarked that Aitzaz neither submitted a reply nor did he submit any evidences, and has rather submitted an application.

In reply, Aitzaz said that the witnesses, which he has asked to be summoned in the court, will inform the bench that the prime minister was not given any advice other than the two summaries he wishes to present.

On whether Prime Minister Gilani will be made to appear personally before the court, Aitzaz clarified that the accused does not have to appear personally till the very end of the proceedings, after all the witnesses have recorded their statements. The hearing was adjourned till March 07.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=14031

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 28 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.